We were going to have a nice relaxing vacation. There is something about the 'V' word and us, can't put us in the same sentence.

My DH was scheduled for 3 cardiac tests, well he took them. The stress test showed some blockage and our cardiologist (great dr.!) wants DH in for an angioplasty, possible stent. He is going into a special heart hosp for this, as our local hosp isn't licensed to due them. We took a ride out to this place, so I wouldn't be going out cold at the crack of dawn. We are both a wreck. He will be off at least thru Mon, if the stent is put in - all of next wk. He has no sick days left, nor vacation. Yeah, us!

This has been upsetting me all this wk, but I haven't been able to get on the 'net. I rarely watch tv, my DH turned it on the other day just before he left for work, we didn't get any NY channels. I called the cable co. The nice lady who answered tried to explain how I could fix the tv problem. It was 8pm, my 'light has dimmed' lol. I couldn't fix it at 8am, thank you Fibro. She set up an appt for repair guy to come yesterday, then connected me to the tech for internet. He was going to 'walk me thru it'. Gotta love their sense of humor. Just pls come over and fix it. A nice fella came over and discovered our line had been cut! Someone cut it w/ a knife. I've had squirrels eat my phone line, I have never had anyone do something like this and I've lived here almost 32 yrs. I was shocked and frightened. I can't imagine anyone in the neighborhood who would do a thing like that.

I'm am even more stressed than I was before the 'V' word, didn't think that was possible. If you could keep us in your thoughts and/or prayers I would appreciate it so much. My DH has had such a tough yr, and he keeps plugging along. I will close for now, before I start to cry. Sorry.

Alice, my Mom had an angioplasty when she was 77 years old. It's a pretty common procedure now. Be soooo thankful that they found this. If my husband's doctor had done an angioplasty, he would still be here with me. It really is a huge blessing for you.

As far as no sick or "V" days, I'm sure his boss will understand. This is so close to the new year that perhaps they will let him "borrow" sick days from next year. It's not like he's playing hooky! He can't hold off for a few weeks so I just bet they will work with him on this.

Try to relax. Remember, there are many walking around with stents. It's a real life saving procedure with very little invasion of the body. He doen't have to be cut open like they do for open heart surgery. Actually, one of my girlfriends had a stent put in a little over a year ago and she just great! I know your hubby will be too. Be sure to let us know how it goes. He'll be home and healthy before you know it!

I'm so sorry Alice, you just can't catch a break can you??? We went through all this last winter starting with DH getting the pacemaker and then two more trips to have stents put in so I know where your coming from. I barely remember last Christmas we were so stressed. Actually, he just left to go to cardio cause he has been feeling some pressure and don't want to take a chance. The hos. he goes to is 45 minutes away and if it hadn't been for youngest son last winter I don't know what I would have done.

I'm not going to say it's not a big deal cause any time they go into the heart there are risks but it's much better to catch it before he has a heart attack so it is a blessing they can prevent damage to the heart and save lives. Where Ken goes it's a heart institute and that is all they do. I know it may be a pain to have to drive further but you want him to have the best.

My sister had four stents put in a few years ago and they even have taken her off the plavix she is doing so well.

I know it's disappointing to have to cancel vacations, we had to this summer cause I was feeling so bad. Hopefully, we will both get one next year.

They don't go into the heart...at least not what I've heard. They run this through the arteries until it reaches the blocked one. Then the stent is wedged in. There should only be a puncture mark on his leg where the equipment enters the body, I believe. That's what happened with my Mom.

Hi Alice,I had a stent placed 3-1/2 years ago. I had no idea I needed it. Long story...but my internist wanted me to go for a stress test, because of family history and I did and it came back questionable, so I had a stress test with echo and that came back suspicious so the cardiologist told me to go for the angiogram and I did and found out I had a 65% block in my LAD, which is the lower anterior artery, or what is nicknamed "the widow maker". I was very fortunate I went for the angiogram, since I had NO symptoms at all. In any case, I've been absolutely FINE since then! I know it's scary and stressful but honestly, there are 1,000's being done every day and very successful. I will keep you and your husband in my prayers and thoughts.

I'm so sorry that you are going through all this, and so close to the holidays. Please know I will be thinking of you and your dh. It is a good thing the doctors caught this when they did. Doesn't relieve any of the stress for you I know, but you will see the blessing once it's done.

As for your line being cut, how horrible! People are just sick. Mischief... what is the point?

Alice, we can hold each others hands from afar, Ken has to have another angiogram on the 21st. Merry Christmas again this year. I'm not too happy about this cause he has had very little pain and some pressure and I think they are jumping the gun on rushing in to do the angiogram. He ask if it could wait til next month and the doc said, "no".

O Marlee...here you go again! I'm so sorry to hear. I really hope and pray Ken will get through this with flying colors.

As I mentioned previously, I had to have one done 3-1/2 years ago. Six weeks after the stent was placed, I began having burning pain in my chest and once again, had a stress test. During the test, I began to have the burning pain so the cardiologist said he wanted to do another angiogram. I couldn't believe it, another one! But, I figured who was I to second guess him? So, I went in for another one and thankfully, didn't need a stent placed. They had put me on heart meds and the meds were causing esophageal problems. Maybe Ken will have the same thing? I will keep you and Ken in my prayers, along with Alice and her husband.warm wishes,Miriam

Ladies, thank you all for your well wishes. Forgive me for not getting back to you sooner. We just got home a little bit ago, had to get my DH settled in and take care of my poor 'evil' puppy. No one was home for him all day.

We got there before 6:30am and it started off great, thought this would be quick, NOT!. They didn't start on my DH till 1:30pm. They didn't put in any stents, he has 2 arteries that are blocked 80%, and the 3rd is blocked 50%. He is out until at least Tuesday night, possibley more and they seemed to feel they would 'see' him again maybe before Christmas. He sees his cardio again on Thurs, possibly sooner, and hopefully his endo this wk, too. One of the 80% blocks is rather a large area, the other is a smaller area.

My sister sent me a text while DH was in for procedure, 'How's he doing, can you watch Mom this wk end. I need to get away.' If I still had my sense of humor tonight, I would probably laugh. Sometimes, I forget that the world does revolve around her. Bad Alice.

Sherrine, thank you for your words, they are helping me. I wish w/ all my heart your DH was sitting right next to you this evening.

Marlee, I'm so sorry this is happening again w/ you and Ken. Consider my hand in 'IL' right there w/ you. We had to go to the Heart Hosp out by the base, bout an hr away. I drove out there this morning, can't see in the dark - clenched butt and sweaty hands, drove home in the dark, still can't see. Clenched butt and sweaty hands. As we got to hosp, I could feel my legs clenching and the tingling feeling going up my neck. I hadn't had a panic attack in awhile, today was my day. Worked my way thru it, finally. I hope you and I can have a 'Merry Christmas' this yr. Just so we can have our Darling Husbands w/ us for many, many more Christmas'. You know my prayers are w/ you both.

Miriam, so glad you are doing well, thank you for your support and your prayers. My DH had been put on heart med in Jan, it sent him to the hosp in Sept. almost killed him. Can't take it anymore!

Mamanan, thank you for your good wishes and hugs. Re: the cable line, I just don't understand how some 'minds' work - just sick.

Robin, thank you for your prayers and hugs.

You ladies help me keep it together. And believe me, I really need the help. I wish you all peace in your lives. You are all angels.

Marlee, I'm so sorry you are having to go through this again! Both you and Alice are fortunate that the doctors are on top of things and I know your husbands will be taken care of. It's frightening...but only for a little while. You both are in my prayers.

Glad everything went okay Alice but sorry they couldn't put a stent in the place that is 80% blocked. I should have warned you to take a xanax before you went. I don't do well driving in the dark and never have and of course these things never happen in the summer when it is light out and warm. There were a couple of nights that I followed son home and was so tired I just kept telling myself to follow his tail lights and was so happy to see my exit.

We will make it through this and have them home for Christmas. I'm glad our big Christmas with the kids and grandkids is the weekend before.

I don't know how you can keep from losing it with your sister with all the stress you are under.

Yes Sherrine, I wish your DH would have had the same chances these guys do.

Miriam, it's like da ja vu, been there done this.

I wish I would have gotten a disabled parking sticker before now so I don't have to walk so far in the parking garage at the hos.